Maybe you have heard the saying: you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him
drink. But I'll give you some tips to get your child back to the breast. When a child
weans before the mother has planned, it can lead to feelings of rejection and grief in the
mother, even when the baby seems fine with it.

Some of the most common reasons for an early weaning are: a baby who is getting
bottles, using a pacifier heavily, or really chowing down on solids. Naturally, you can
try cutting down on any of these activities. If your baby is getting bottles at daycare
while you are at work, and is over six months old (approximately), it's probably time to
go to the cup for the child's feeds. Cut way down on pacifier use too. That way, your baby
won't be meeting his sucking needs all day, and will be more eager to suck on your breast,
when you are together. If you started solids early (before six months), you can always cut
back on the size of these meals, gradually, of course. Your milk supply will build back
up, as the baby spends more time at the breast. Remember, your milk is by far the most
nutritious food for your baby, for the first year, not to mention the immunological
benefits.

Another common behavior to watch out for is the busy baby who is too distracted by
everything around him, and won't take time to breastfeed. This usually occurs between ages
six to nine months. Try going into a quiet, dark room to breastfeed. Your baby may start
waking more at night to feed, when nothing interesting is going on. You may not like
having your sleep disturbed, but at least your baby is getting the perfect nourishment his
body requires. This is less of a problem if your baby sleeps in your bed. Night waking is
also common during teething, anyway. A baby will often pick up on breastfeeding during the
day at about one year, when he starts standing, walking and falling down and hurting
himself a lot. Plus he's able to keep an eye on what's going on around him, and still get
his time at the breast in--smart baby!

Perhaps you have a very busy baby who sucks his thumb, has always preferred sleeping
alone, has adopted a blankie or teddy bear. We call these babies self-soothers. It's less
common among breastfeeding babies, but they do exist. Perhaps you are pregnant, and your
baby is reacting to the change in the taste or quantity of your milk. In these cases, it
can be difficult, or impossible, to turn back the clock to those blissful breastfeeding
days. You've experienced one of the most pleasurable, even spiritual, times of your life,
cuddling with your soft, warm, fragrant baby. It's natural to miss it! Friends who haven't
been there won't understand. They'll think you'd be glad to tuck your shirt back in, and
move on to the next stage. But your feelings are valid! Call your local La Leche League
Leader. She will listen, and sympathize.

Our
FAQs present information from La Leche League International on topics
of interest to parents of breastfed children. Not all of the information
may be pertinent to your family's lifestyle. This information is general
in nature and not intended to be advice, medical or otherwise. If you
have a serious breastfeeding problem or concern, you are strongly encouraged
to talk directly to a La Leche League Leader.
Please consult health care professionals on any medical issue, as La
Leche League Leaders are not medical practitioners.